Conditions of Stay for Monastics

8 precept nuns must have sufficient funds to support their personal needs, including onward travel (monastic accommodation and basic food, as offered to monastics, is shared with 8 precept nuns).

We can only accept your stay with proof of either a Medicare card (for Australian residents or Permanent Residents) or proof of valid Comprehensive Travel/Health Insurance that will cover you for the entire duration of your stay at Santi.

We need to see your identification, proof of ordination and proof of healthcare cover before we will accept your application to stay.

For Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents:
A colour copy of your passport or Australian driver’s licence or other Australian government issued identification (copy must include your photo).
And a copy of your Medicare card.

For overseas visitors:
A colour copy of your the photo page of your passport
A copy of your visa e-notification or the visa page of your passport
Proof of valid Comprehensive Travel/Health Insurance that will cover you for the entire duration of your stay at Santi.

All of the information that you provide will be kept confidential and will not be passed on or disclosed to any other person or organisation.

Rules and Guidelines

1. If you need any requisites, please speak with the senior resident Bhikkhuni. Please do not ask or hint for monetary or material offerings from our lay supporters.

2. You are expected to adhere to the daily program, work roster, and any other decisions that may be made by the resident Bhikkhuni Sangha of the monastery.

3. If you cause disruption to the peace and harmony of the community in residence or to the supporters and their families you may be asked to leave.

4. We will share with you our requisites of food, shelter and robes. Medicine and medical care will be offered in-line with what is available. Remember if you are visiting from overseas, you must arrange your own medical and travel insurance BEFORE you arrive in Australia. No medical insurance = no stay.

5. You are expected to observe the Vinaya rule to consume food only at the proper time (that is, between daybreak to solar noon). Afternoon allowables will be offered as available. Please ask if you are unsure about this rule.

6. You are expected to follow the duty roster and daily program. You are responsible for ensuring your room is maintained in a clean condition. You may not make alterations to your room without the permission of the senior resident Bhikkhuni.

7. Santi Forest Monastery is subject to the risk of bush fires. To reduce this risk, you may not ever light candles or incense in your room or kuti. Never leave any candles or incense burning unattended in the meditation hall.

8. Kindly save water and electricity whenever possible. Turn off all lights, radiators or heaters when leaving the room.

9. Please have a chaperone if you are with a single male visitor (even if it is a blood relative) so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

10. Eight precept nuns must wear white, or if they are a Sayalay, the traditional pink robes.

You must understand and accept the following Risks

This is a communal forest monastery, there are certain risks you should be aware of.

1. Living in a forest setting

a. The accommodation provided to visitors at SFM may be in the forest or close to the main building. It may be in a room, a kuti or caravan. It is basic, but well maintained and mostly sealed. However, as this is a forest setting, insects, spiders, snakes or other creatures may find their way into the room. Snakes and spiders may be venomous and potentially lethal. (Visitors not prepared to accept this risk or who have particular allergies should assess whether staying at SFM is suitable for them).

b. Visitors are requested to take responsibility for ensuring that doors, windows and any other openings in their accommodation are closed when you are absent, and, as much as possible, maintain a constant check to ensure that the room is free of wild life and insects.

c. If visitors notice a defect with their accommodation, then they should inform the accommodation officer at SFM.

d. The paths at SFM are rugged in nature and you may encounter steep cliffs and rocks. Visitors who wish to venture into the forest must accept full responsibility for their own safety when walking around SFM. Whilst hiking, visitors must ensure that they wear appropriate footwear and carry at all times the whistle/bandage roll made available by SFM in your accommodation. If visitors intend on going on a long walk, they are advised to go in pairs, leave at a suitable time to ensure that they arrive back during daylight hours and to inform SFM of their whereabouts by leaving a note before departing.

e. Visitors are encouraged to stick to the main pathways.

f. There are no lights on the paths and it is necessary that a torch be used during the night.

2. Living in an open space

a. SFM consists of a community of people – monastics and lay residents – both female and male.

b. Monastic and female/male lay accommodation, toilet and bathing facilities are clearly segregated. There is a common area for meditation and partaking of meals.

c. SFM is situated in a eucalyptus forest bordering Morton National Park. While there is a whistle/bandage roll for emergencies, SFM is unable to guarantee the safety of each visitor. All visitors should abide by the safety rules of the monastery and assume full responsibility for their own safety while staying.

3. Meditation and Mental Health

a. SFM is most conducive for individual and group meditation.

b. However, meditation may not be suitable for those with a mental illness. Applicants with a mental illness are required to disclose this upon application, with details of any mental health condition and how you manage it (i.e. medications or otherwise). Such applicants are recommended to first seek professional medical advice from their doctor as to whether or not meditation is suitable for them prior to their application to SFM.

c. The monastics at SFM are not doctors or therapists and are not qualified to provide treatment for mental or any other type of illness.

4. Work involved at SFM

a. Santi Forest Monastery is not a meditation retreat centre. It is a Monastery where we live in community and there are daily duties to perform every day as part of the practice of the noble eight-fold path.

b. Part of living in a community is the sharing of duties for the benefit of the community as a whole. Accordingly, visitors are expected to share in the duties around the monastery as part of their stay.

c. Whilst we are not able to provide facilities for people who wish to go on a fully supported personal retreat, most days there is time available after lunch cleanup in the afternoon for individual practice.

d. Visitors voluntarily undertaking any physical tasks and/or using any equipment do so at their own risk. If required, visitors will be provided protective equipment. Visitors may be working alongside monastics and other volunteers who may not be professionals. Visitors should be aware that there may be risks involved in such tasks and further, must be aware that they should always work in a safe and proper fashion to avoid harm to themselves and others.

5. Personal Property

a. Visitors are responsible for their own personal property, and are reminded to take care in ensuring its safekeeping.

6. Medical

a. Visitors are required to have their own medical insurance if they do not have the benefit of Medicare.

b. In the event of a medical emergency, SFM residents will administer First Aid when possible and/or transfer a visitor to the hospital as required.

c. Visitors should bring with them any medications or supplements that they may need during their stay.